Synthetic Oil?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Puyallup, Washington
Synthetic Oil? I'm trying to decide what kind of oil to use. What do I do if I'm not sure what oil has been in the car before I bought it. I think maybe regular oil. 99 z a4 2.73. 73,000 miles
Any synthetic is fine. Mobil-1, Redline, Amsoil, to name a few.
Think about it... When have you EVER heard of an oil-related engine failure? My bet is never. (This of course does not include letting your engine run dry, or leaving the oil in for 30k miles)
Think about it... When have you EVER heard of an oil-related engine failure? My bet is never. (This of course does not include letting your engine run dry, or leaving the oil in for 30k miles)
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
We might not have heard of an oil related failure per se, but how do you think engines eventually wear out? It's due to either a buildup of sludge, or in some cases they'll just simply start burning more and more oil. The choice of oils will determine this, because you can clearly see a difference in engine wear (in oil analysis results) between different oils. And lower quality oils do leave more deposits behind which quicken the time it takes for an engine to wear out.
Sure, any oil will get you to 150k, and maybe even 200k. But if you're going for even longer engine life, or you drive it extremely hard, then picking the right oil and the right viscosity becomes even more crucial.
Sure, any oil will get you to 150k, and maybe even 200k. But if you're going for even longer engine life, or you drive it extremely hard, then picking the right oil and the right viscosity becomes even more crucial.
Originally Posted by Patman
We might not have heard of an oil related failure per se, but how do you think engines eventually wear out? It's due to either a buildup of sludge, or in some cases they'll just simply start burning more and more oil. The choice of oils will determine this, because you can clearly see a difference in engine wear (in oil analysis results) between different oils. And lower quality oils do leave more deposits behind which quicken the time it takes for an engine to wear out.
Sure, any oil will get you to 150k, and maybe even 200k. But if you're going for even longer engine life, or you drive it extremely hard, then picking the right oil and the right viscosity becomes even more crucial.
Sure, any oil will get you to 150k, and maybe even 200k. But if you're going for even longer engine life, or you drive it extremely hard, then picking the right oil and the right viscosity becomes even more crucial.
And from patmans advice I use 0w-40 Mobil 1 synthetic did some reaserch and found out Mobil 1 is really the only true synthetic oil you would find at a auto parts store walmart etc. Mobil 1 is a group 4 oil and all other brand name synthetics are still group 3. A group 3 oil is no better then dino oil really.
5w-30 or 10w-30 no big diff only pertains to when the oil is cold how it flows. I've had DTC on toyota prius's from people using 10w-30 cause it take longer for the engine to start.
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From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
I'm a tech at a toyota dealership patman so i'm sure your aware of toyota gel motor issue with 1MZ-FE V6 engines. Beyond what some critics say i've never seen a sludge engine in a car that was maintained at a toyota dealer and in most cases its been 10-30,000 miles since their last oil change.
And from patmans advice I use 0w-40 Mobil 1 synthetic did some reaserch and found out Mobil 1 is really the only true synthetic oil you would find at a auto parts store walmart etc. Mobil 1 is a group 4 oil and all other brand name synthetics are still group 3. A group 3 oil is no better then dino oil really.
5w-30 or 10w-30 no big diff only pertains to when the oil is cold how it flows. I've had DTC on toyota prius's from people using 10w-30 cause it take longer for the engine to start.
And from patmans advice I use 0w-40 Mobil 1 synthetic did some reaserch and found out Mobil 1 is really the only true synthetic oil you would find at a auto parts store walmart etc. Mobil 1 is a group 4 oil and all other brand name synthetics are still group 3. A group 3 oil is no better then dino oil really.
5w-30 or 10w-30 no big diff only pertains to when the oil is cold how it flows. I've had DTC on toyota prius's from people using 10w-30 cause it take longer for the engine to start.
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From: AustinTexas
I'm just curious as to how synthetic oil is better than regular oil? My auto tech teacher and I were talking about this and he said to me "well why would you wanna switch over to synthetic oil?" I wasn't really sure what to say. thanx.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
I'm a tech at a toyota dealership patman so i'm sure your aware of toyota gel motor issue with 1MZ-FE V6 engines. Beyond what some critics say i've never seen a sludge engine in a car that was maintained at a toyota dealer and in most cases its been 10-30,000 miles since their last oil change.
I have heard a lot of talk about those 3.0 V6 Toyota motors, in fact we call them the sludge monsters on the oil board!
People have posted some pics of some nasty looking engines, it's mostly when people run dino oil and try to do Toyota's recommended 7500 mile intervals. With synthetics they usually are ok, but still have problems if they go too far. The small oil capacity, design of the valvetrain, and excess heat in the heads, is the reasoning. It's the worst in the Sienna van due to heat from the engine location (under the front seats) TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by LS1 Brent
I'm just curious as to how synthetic oil is better than regular oil? My auto tech teacher and I were talking about this and he said to me "well why would you wanna switch over to synthetic oil?" I wasn't really sure what to say. thanx.
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From: Ga
Originally Posted by fullfloatingHD
And from patmans advice I use 0w-40 Mobil 1 synthetic did some reaserch and found out Mobil 1 is really the only true synthetic oil you would find at a auto parts store .
I have always used Mobile 1, but when I bought my '98 Z-28 with 92,000 miles on it, Mobile didn't make a 10w-40. So I tried Castrol 10w-40, then I went with Amsoil 10W-40. Amsoil is thinner off the bat than Castrol 10W-40 and the Mobil 10W-30. Amsoil seems to run good and makes alot of power, but with a tad lower oil pressure, still had 55 lbs @ 2500 rpm compared to Castrol 10W-40 @ 60 lbs
In independent test Amsoil and Mobil 1 were the best all around! http://www.performanceoilnews.com/oi...nst_oils.shtml
I might try Mobile 1 0W-40 though next oil change!
In independent test Amsoil and Mobil 1 were the best all around! http://www.performanceoilnews.com/oi...nst_oils.shtml
I might try Mobile 1 0W-40 though next oil change!
Check out the different oils and their formulations. here is a quote from the Amsoil store:
"AMSOIL High Performance Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil remains fluid at temperatures as low as -54°F (-48°C), permitting easy engine cranking for quick starts. During sub-zero temperatures, it flows to all parts of the engine much quicker than conventional petroleum oils, greatly reducing the rate of wear and increasing engine life."
"AMSOIL High Performance Synthetic 10W-40 Motor Oil remains fluid at temperatures as low as -54°F (-48°C), permitting easy engine cranking for quick starts. During sub-zero temperatures, it flows to all parts of the engine much quicker than conventional petroleum oils, greatly reducing the rate of wear and increasing engine life."
